Just got a biopsy

Hi!

I'm sorry you're freaking out, but you did the right thing: you got a mammogram, ultrasound, and a biopsy. Not to scare you, but most people who are diagnosed with breast cancer don't have cancer in their family. (I don't; we're the "stroke" family.) If your biopsy is positive for cancer, you will probably meet with a surgeon first. Most of us get surgery first, but some of us don't. (I didn't, but I had a large lump and was triple positive -- ER+/PR+/HER2+).

Your treatment will ultimately depend on what kind of cancer you have and how extensive it is. The most common form of breast cancer is IDC (invasive ductal carcinoma). The most common form of IDC is ER+/PR+/HER2- (hormone positive but not characterized by an overexpression of the HER2 protein). Most women are diagnosed in an early stage of breast cancer, so the treatment is designed to prevent recurrence and metastasis.

In the meantime, stay busy and try not to think the worst. Plenty of women end up having benign results from their biopsies. ((Hugs))

daenerys30 so sorry you are going through this. The wait is the hardest part while they read the tests and then you get the information after what seems like what takes forever to wait and you just want to "move on" and make plans. Try to be patient and know you are not alone no matter what.

I had no family history of breast cancer (other kinds of cancer, heart issues).

Looks like you are in NM. I know there are other members in Las Cruces and I think Albuquerque as well. Are you near a big town to get easy access to treatment? I know there are some very small towns from the time I lived there and my son was in Silver City for college. Hopefully you have a good team you trust and that is the most important part in getting you through this successfully! Hang in there!!!

Thank you, Mods. This is pretty uniquely excruciating. There has got to be a better way. Meanwhile, a question: I've read through all of the advice on this site about "Getting Your Pathology Report" (sorry -- not allowed to post a link, it seems), but I'm unclear if I have positive biopsy results tomorrow what happens next -- like logistically what happens next? Are there more tests? I'm not trying to borrow trouble; I feel better if i know what to expect. Maybe there is no common next step? Thank you. Just lurking on this site has been tremendously helpful.

Thank you, Oceanbum. I guess it makes sense that not everyone's path is the same. Just wondering if the next step is usually surgery or if there is more testing first. Will find out tomorrow.

Thanks, Beesie. That's exactly the information I was wondering about. Trying to breathe, but that 4C categorization does bump it up above 30%. Trying not to base too much on the demeanor of the radiologist or my GP's voice when she called me, but that's all in there, too. Can't help it.

That was my understanding, Beesie. Thank you for being here. Rough evening.

Thank you.

daenerys, I'm sorry you've joined the club that none of us wanted to join!

My advice is to take it one step at a time. I think it's smart to not change any plans yet because at this point you don't know what's going to be involved with your treatment. There is no rule book for getting through this thing so what's most important is to do what feels right to you. Unfortunately the process includes a lot of waiting, so keeping busy and keeping your routine is a good way to focus your mind on other things.

My other advice is to not jump to conclusions or decisions. There will probably be some difficult decisions ahead about treatment choices, and you want to make those decisions thoughtfully and with as much information as you can get. Then, once you decide, move forward and don't look back and don't second guess yourself.

Last piece of advice. Ask questions. Ask for the support you need, whether at work, from friends, from family, from us here. And while you are here, vent if you need to. We've all been there!

Ugh. So sorry for all of the bad news. Keep in mind most breast cancers are very treatable. This will most likely be a not-fun bump in the road that you'll get to the other side of.